CANCELLED: The Story Project

For years this regional favorite has showcased the storytellers of the Pikes Peak region. This will be the first Story Project since 2019. This project’s theme presents stories from American’s Mountain, Pikes Peak, and will feature four local storytellers who will regale the public with their tales of the mountain. Presenters include Larry Cesspooch (Utah local and traditional Ute Storyteller), as well as Pikes Peak region locals Kat Tudor, Andrew Rudin, and Cyndi Parr, with hosts Don Goede and Jeremiah Walter.

Larry Cesspooch grew up on the Uintah and Ouray Ute Reservation in Northeastern Utah, and uses film, music, and traditional artifacts to tell his stories. Kat Tudor is the visionary behind SunWater Spa, SunMountain Center, and the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts in Manitou Springs. Andrew Rudin led outdoor trips for several years after moving to Colorado, worked with troubled youth, and is currently a handyman living in his homemade cabin outside of Cripple Creek. Cyndi Parr is the program director and co-founder for Dragon Theatre Productions, and has performed during the last 25 years as an actor, writer, director, puppeteer, and magician in over 200 productions.

The Story Project, conceived by Sharon Friedman and presented by the Smokebrush Foundation, began in 2011 and quickly gained a large regular audience. Originally conceived by Sharon Friedman, a beloved member of the community who passed away in 2022, episodes of The Story Project aired on KRCC radio and PPLD’s cable channel before the program took a hiatus. PPLD plans to host future Story Project events throughout the year, inviting members of the community to share stories on a variety of topics.

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) provides everyone with access to resources and opportunities so people can thrive and connect. The Library cultivates spaces for belonging, personal growth, and strong communities via 16 facilities, mobile library services, and a large online hub of resources. It is an internationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of nearly 700,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo. Learn more at ppld.org.